Jennifer Leeman

My research focuses on how to most effectively translate, disseminate, and implement evidence into improvements in practice with a focus on changing the lifestyle behaviors that increase risk for obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Between 1998 and 2010 I was a research assistant and then research associate professor in the UNC School of Nursing. In July of 2011 I was appointed to a tenure-track position as assistant professor and was selected to be a trainee in an AHRQ-funded K12 on Comparative Effectiveness (PI: Weinberger, 2010-2013). Bryan Weiner, a Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) member, is one of two faculty mentors on my K12 award.

I previously served as faculty in the LCCC Dissemination Core and currently serve as principal investigator on a CDC-funded Cancer Control Collaborating Center (4CNC) that works with communities to promote their use of evidence-based approaches for cancer control and prevention.

I am Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Training and Research Translation (2009-2014). Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center TRT disseminates evidence and provides training to public health practitioners working in CDC-funded Obesity Programs nationwide. In my role with the Center, I have led the development of processes for identifying, evaluating, and packaging the evidence practitioners need to effect change at the levels of individuals, communities, environments, and policy (Leeman, Sommers, & Ammerman, 2011).

I have conducted and published multiple systematic reviews identifying factors related to disseminating and implementing change in practice. I  a co-investigator on a second  NIH-funded project d to synthesize findings from qualitative and quantitative research studies (PIs: Knafl & Sandelowski).

Positions and Employment

• 1983 Pastor, New Portland United Methodist Church, New Portland, ME
• 1984-85 Chaplain, Goldwater Memorial Hospital, NYC, NY
• 1985-87 Center Director, Wakefield Senior Center, Queens, NY
• 1988-90 Administrator, Ambulatory Care, Brooklyn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
• 1990-91 Case-Mix Coordinator, Brooklyn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
• 1991-96 Health Systems Specialist, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC
• 1998-2004 Project Director, Center for Research in Chronic Illness, UNC-SON, Chapel Hill, NC Research
• 2002-2004 Project Director, Center for Innovation in Health Disparities Research
• 2004-2006 Post-Doctoral Fellow, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• 1998-present Research Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Other Experience and Professional Memberships

• 1996-present Member, North Carolina Health Access Coalition
• 1998-present Member, American Public Health Association
• 1998-present Member, Haverford College Corporation
• 2002-2006 Contributing Editor, American Journal of Nursing Research